LEADING agrichemical company Syngenta has announced it will cease global production of the herbicide paraquat by the end of June.

The news came via a March 3 announcement from the Swiss-based company.

“The decision reflects significant competition from generic producers around the world, which has eroded Syngenta’s competitiveness in the production of this herbicide,” its statement said.

“Following an asset review, a program has now been initiated to phase out the production of paraquat at Syngenta’s Huddersfield, UK, site, its only manufacturing facility for this active ingredient globally.

“A small scale, multi-product production unit at the site will also close.”

Syngenta said the UK will continue to assess future investment opportunities at the site.

Syngenta operates in more than 90 countries, and has a global workforce in excess of 30,000; it employs more than 2000 people across six sites in its UK operations, primarily focused on R&D, production and supply.

Paraquat is a knockdown herbicide which has been used extensively in rotation with other chemistries which make no-till and other practices possible.

First brought to market by a Syngenta predecessor company more than 60 years ago, paraquat is today a generic herbicide that is registered for sale by more than 750 companies.

“Syngenta sells this herbicide in just a few markets around the world, and it accounts for less than 1 percent of Syngenta’s global sales.

Syngenta’s decision to cease paraquat production is in line with its focus on innovation, and its commitment to bring new solutions that elevate the productivity and sustainability of agriculture.

These include seed and seed treatments, agricultural biologicals, advanced crop protection technologies and an expanding offer of AI-enabled digital and precision-agriculture solutions.

“This decision is about focusing our resources where they deliver the greatest value for our business and our customers,” Syngenta global production and supply head and UK president Mike Holland said.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is undertaking an extensive review of the use of paraquat and the related diquat.

A decision from the APVMA is expected in the middle of this year.

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